One of 10 statewide
$750,000 all-inclusive Town Hall playground to be installed in 2021
Having been selected as one of 10 statewide recipients of the BlueCross BlueShield’s Healthy Places project, Town of Farragut will receive a $750,000 all-inclusive playground in 2021.
Officials were notified earwlier this month of the award, following up from an August grant application the Town Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved, which had been written and submitted by Sue Stuhl, Town Parks & Recreation director.
The playground will be located behind Town Hall as the grant’s criteria required a “clear and level area” with “unrestricted access for large construction equipment and materials,” Stuhl noted in a previous report.
“The addition of a fourth playground, especially one made with ramps for more inclusive play, is a wonderful amenity for the Town residents and our visitors,” she added. “In addition to the play areas, our project will include a pavilion and fitness area so everyone can participate in the fun.”
Of the six design options, Farragut chose to pursue the “Thrive and Play” design “because it provides a fully-inclusive play area (one of the goals of the Town’s Capital Investment Program); swing and freestanding play area; fitness station for teens and adults; and a small pavilion with picnic tables,” Stuhl added. The site also has parking readily available and restrooms.
The grant differs from other grants in that no money changes hands, and the project is completely constructed, designed, engineered and installed by and through the BlueCross BlueShield Foundation. It will be completed by the foundation’s build partner, Chattanooga-based PlayCore.
“It will be a great amenity for the community. We’ve been wanting an inclusive playground for some time, and the area behind Town Hall will be a convenient, central location,” Town Mayor Ron Williams said.
“We’re so pleased that BlueCross has chosen to invest back into Farragut in this way. This new pocket park, along with the future development of public walking trails at Red Mill Dam, will provide interesting, new fitness opportunities to the community in addition to our four major parks.”
